interesting list of the most influential athletes in the world esp the top 10. outside of #1 jimmy johnson who actually wins races and championships in nascar no one in the top 10 is a recent WINNER of anything (in terms of team or individual championships). the brady brand has exploded with gissy to #2, making him the only other new england athlete represented. seriously, should shaq at this point even be considered an athlete anymore? he actually has BETTER numbers than brady in certain key areas in terms of those who are aware him, talking 71% to 35% (more than double), those who like him a lot (45 to 40%) and far less dislikes (4% to 11%, brady more than doubles him again). shaq will be like herpes after his career OFFICIALLY ends, we will never get rid of him!

again, would be nice if those who actually WON rings and races were being rewarded. that was the appeal of the old tiger woods who isnt even on the list nor is kobe bryant or dwayne wade. kg fell out of the top 10 as well although he is having a far better season than he did last year. its sad to me that a winner like a paul pierce is not and has never been in the top 10. the only other nba baller is LEBRON at #9. where is manny pacquaio? he didnt even make the list. all about the hype nowadays!

tom brady increasingly reminds me of shaq and most of the guys on this top 10 list. the hype and BRANDING influence and sizzle increasingly seems to have taken over the SUBSTANCE of performance and winning rings. shaq is teflon, nothing sticks. he's a sheriff here, on letterman there, no time to travel with his team when injured, no time to dedicate to maximizing his playing shape while enjoying every single perk of celebrity. i do not begrudge these guys these things but the bottom line should be on football and maximizing their playing days by maximizing rings. say what we want about the great talents of lebron, the real reason many hate him is because there is a clear perception out there that he would really dedicate more time to becoming the first billionaire athlete and the next black billionaire in the mode of oprah than to actually do all he can to get a ring. that wasnt true with jordan, magic or bird for eventhough they enjoyed all the trappings of their success, it just was never PERCEIVED that they were ever selling short the real end goal of WINNING.

back then, the guys who were the greatest winners got the most play, opportunities and made the most from their branding, nowadays with guys like yao ming the big usesless, it doesnt seem to matter what one actually accomplishes on the court. to me, kg, pierce, ray and yes even the ex-rapist himself in LA wearing #24 should all commmand more of a higher profile than the ringless and even non-finals contenders who do. michelle wie? come on. john daly? dale earnhardt jr. (since when did US reward such blatant nepotism)? its almost comic in its tragedy!